Forgotten creations

I totally forgot about this piece when I posted about the Seahorses this morning.  This was part of my ocean exhibit at the East Lansing Art Gallery a couple YEARS ago - and it's now packed away in a box.  I need to get her out and give her another chance to shine -especially now that Seahorses seem to be becoming popular. 
Here are some of the other 'beachy pieces' that were displayed with the above one (Playful Sea).  I still have all but one of them...my area of Michigan just isn't a popular beach jewelry venue, I guess.  Time to break them out again though - summer will be here before we know it...

There are actually a few more that I will save for another day....I think I can do a whole TABLE of beach stuff at this rate.  The only one of these that has sold so far is the center one - A Day at the Beach, with the Swarovski Starfish pendant.  Let's hope this year is beachier for jewelry sales!
TTFN

What's to Sea?

As in Sea Horses.  I've been seeing them in jewelry making, decor and a lot of inspiration stuff lately.  I'm even getting ready to read a book - "Poseidon's Steed" - about sea horses.  Are owls getting ready to be replaced by something a bit more mythical?  A bit more mysterious?  We shall SEA.....
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

The anti bead

or - simply a day without beads.  It wasn't intentional.  I took practically the whole kit and kaboodle (well, ok, two trays and box) with me to Coyote today, but it just didn't happen.  And what with the glitches, and freezes and problems that I had with this technological miracle called the Internet today, it's probably just as well.  Because I have a feeling it would have been a two steps forward and three steps back kind of beading day today, anyway.
So I bead BLOGGED instead.  I've been reading through some of my favorites, catching up on happenings, wishing that I was the world traveler (Kate) consummate hostess (Marcia) and animal rescue specialist (Cynthia) that some of them strive to be.  Alas - I'm pretty much a homebody.  Well, within a 60 mile radius body anyway.  I'm seriously considering an extended trip to Florida in May, though.  I'm being drawn strongly to going down to help my parents make the snow bird trip back up to Michigan that is becoming a drag for them.  I will have to move some things around, and could possibly miss my TWENTY NINTH wedding anniversary - but I can't get it off my mind.  Something is telling me that I need to go.  It's just figuring out how to get there.  I don't have a reliable car.  I don't really want to leave my husband without his Jeep (don't think he'd let me anyway), nor do I want to drive alone for all those many hours on unfamiliar roads.  Fly?  Not my cup of tea.  I'm not comfortable flying - and I make no excuses - it's my size.  At the same time, I'm amongst the part of the U.S. population that believes that the current TSA frisking and security rules have gotten way out of hand, and will not participate in the madness.  So I sit here instead - longing for Florida.  Settling for Michigan.  Freezing instead of breezing.  
Looking forward to a quiet beady Friday.  Maybe I'll figure out what to do with "In Need of Calmer Seas".  It's at the neckpiece point - and the original thought of a peyote spiral now seems like way too much work, especially since I don't have all the proper sizes involved, which would mean a 40 minute trip one way to the bead store.  Hell-might as well just go 20 more and end up in Frankenmuth again!  SO -  I hope I'll have an epiphany in the middle of the night as I often do, or at least wake up ready to come up with some fresh ideas.  And I gotta finish those class kits, dang it.  The class is on SATURDAY!
Peaceful beading everyone.  Here's to beading brighter tomorrow....
TTFN

Bead Table Wednesdays unexpected turn

Not even I can predict what will end up on my bead table.  If you would have asked me Monday (and I think someone did!) I would have said Dragonflies....BUT - because of the dragonflies, and the search for the perfect beads to complete more, I came across these 3 partially surrounded coral cabs that were started probably about 6 months ago.  They were each separate - not attached to each other, and far from a thought for a completed piece.  I think I can thank Sherry Seraphini for that.  I purchased her new book on Monday - Sensational Bead Embroidery - which is full of wonderful cab work and awe inspiring projects.  So it must have inspired me.  The perfect project popped into my head the minute I laid hands on them, especially after combining them with Amethyst.  It will be a cuff bracelet - the name is "Dawn".

Peaceful Bead Table Wednesday, everyone!
TTFN

Dragonflying

Here's a peek at what I've been working on this week, and what will probably even still be on my table for BTW..

Dragonflies.  This is something else that I got on that trip to Frankenmuth last week.  A pattern for a dragonfly using seed beads and Swarovski crystals.  I don't usually like to follow patterns, but this one is different - because it's just for the dragonfly itself - which can then be added to necklaces (first photo), made smaller for earrings, - or made to fly on their own, so I can be creative with it.   I've already adapted and changed the pattern a bit - simply because a few of the sizes listed aren't common to my bead drawer.  And it worked just fine. It also incorporates a little bit of wire work, which I'm trying to stretch myself to do more of.  They are really addictive -  they only take about 1/2 hour to make - I have all of these to hang and display at Coyote today!
Had a wonderful time with the bead group again last night.  Not sure why I didn't quite adapt to all of them the first time around - because we're having a blast this time.   They try and hold them at each others houses (although mine is way too small), and last nights was at the beautiful woodland home of one the Judy's. (We have 4).  Gorgeous white and honey blonde woodwork everywhere, and a beautiful WHITE wood burning stove.  Lots of windows - and of course - beaded accents everywhere!  My kind of house!
Busy beady day at Coyote today.  Have a great one everybody!
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Here's the haul!

First stop:  Bead Haven in Frankenmuth: 
Top left:  Accent czech glass to complete the piece I'm working on.

Center left:  Thanks to the little tiny size 15 seed bead bright ORANGE pops of color I got from Kate McKinnon, I decided to get what I needed to create something spectacular with them.  I also got several different strands of the center drilled grape leaves I like to use.  Those are getting hard to find!  I love the Purple Crazy Lace agate pendant piece I got, too - and funny - as we were all shopping, out of all the beads in that huge entire place -  three of us girls managed to end up with pendants from that same bowl of Purple Crazy Lace Agate!  

Next photo on left:  my favorite Swarovski color:  Crystal Golden Shadow, along with dagger beads and some Preciosa crystal that accent them.  The dagger beads were chosen WAY before the Swarovski & Preciosa were added to the pile.  A future project in the making, for sure.
So that was my haul from Bead Haven.  Next up - Beadin' Mon, which we didn't realize until yesterday was easily accessed on our way home!  I imagine we'll be regulars every Frankenmuth trip from now on.
I only purchased a few things there - basically cuz I didn't have much left to purchase beads with!  LOL  She had lots of cute little polymer clay beads though, so I picked up some purple daisies and matching butterflies, as well as a cool COPPER clasp like I'd never seen before.  I also picked up the hoops for a new earring project I have in mind.

                                                        Keep reading....there's more goodies below:

 The coolest thing about that trip - was the bags she put our purchases in. Below RIGHT - you'll see a little jute handled bag made from RECYCLED BEAD MAGAZINES! Now, I would never, EVER part with, or maim in any way, ANY of MY precious magazines. But - some people aren't that attached to their reading material, so this person from the Flint area came up with a unique way to reuse them. I'm going to show the bag to the book store owner, and try to find out what the cost is of these - we may be able to rid ourselves of some old metaphysical mags and catalogs the same way....
Bead happy everyone!  I know I AM!!  Especially after yesterdays trip.  And here's the best part: On shopping trips in the past, I always felt (a little) guilty spending the money that I spent on beads that should be going to bills, or to buying more stock for the store.   Yesterday's trip?  No guilt.  Not one bit.   I had manifested pretty much every penny of that money from either bead and jewelry sales, or other unexpected avenues.  I didn't have to skrimp - and for the most part - I didn't!  (Most of the semi precious was still a little too rich for my blood).  It was a good week overall, despite the loss of my friend (which I still haven't found out anything about).  I hope to continue the momentum - I have a class coming up at the end of next week (which I still need to prepare for, EEK!), and am expecting my next commission check from the Gallery.  It's all good.  :0)
TTFN

Big haul...new beads!

What fun we had in Flint and Frankenmuth today!   There were 8 of us - so we had to caravan in two vehicles!  Much fun and bead shopping had by all, as well as a great lunch (a little White Zin with the beads anyone?)  On the way home, we found this cute little place just off the path called "Beadin' Mon" - I LOVE how it was decorated  - and the parking lot was packed when we arrived, which is always a good sign!  Here's their website if you want to check them out - I don't think they do any mail order, but seemed to be doing a bang up local business - with a class in session, and many many more scheduled - all with LOTS of students already signed up!  I think I was in business in the wrong town!  LOL  Anyway - here's their URL - enjoy!  http://www.beadinmon.com/
Bead stash pics tomorrow! (ALL for me....hehehe)
TTFN